Cosmic catastrophes are associated in various cultures with different plots (mythos). For instance, separation of Heaven from Earth, global flood, deluge, cosmic conflagration (ἐκπύρωσις). Since we are mainly interested in the Ancient Greek culture, we limit our research to the consideration of this particular tradition.
     It is known that the idea of ​​the periodic destruction of the cosmos or “cosmic conflagration” is present in the sayings of Anaximander, Heraclitus, Philolaus, and we also come upon such plots, dedicated to cosmic destruction, in Plato’s writings. In the dialogues of Plato we encounter such plots in the form of philosophical myths. Plato often connects this theme to some kind of reversal, which is considered as the slightest deviation – παράλλαξις. In the sayings of the seven Greek Sages there are themes concerning the problem of measure – the problem that interests us in connection with the myth of cosmic catastrophes and self-care, namely, self-concern, understood as “dominion over self”. The myth/plot of cosmic catastrophes will be considered in the context of the problem of measure and deflection, or παράλλαξις. The problem of self-care will be considered in the context of the reminiscence, or ἀνάμνησις.
     

cosmic catastrophes, epimeleia heautou, hybris, reminiscence, measure, paralaxis/deflection, Plato